U2 - Van Diemen's Land (by The Edge)
Original Key: #F major (with all string's tuned half step down).
But if you can reach the high note, why bother. Just stick to
standard tuning (G major key).
To get the authentic flavour of this simple yet great song done by
The Edge of U2, one needs to understand a few key characteristics
of the chords employed.
1) All G chords are played with D on B string (see chord shapes below)
2) C2 shape used for all G-C2-G transitions
3) Play the /G /B bass notes right, leading to Em chord
4) Appreciate the use of C chord as transition in between Em and G.
Compare with playing without it, and you will see the magic touch
of the true Master - The Edge rules!
See how The Edge plays it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=el7oKnbPdfY
Chord shapes used in this song
E A D G B E
G : 3 2 0 0 3 3
C2 : x 3 2 0 3 3
C : x 3 2 0 1 0
Em : x x 2 0 0 0
Dsus4: x x 0 2 3 3
D : x x 0 2 3 2
Bm : x 2 4 4 3 2
Intro:
G - - - | C2 - - - | G - - - | D - - - | G - - C2 | G - Hold me
Verse 1
G C2 |G - - C2 | G - /G /B
now, oh hold me now. Till this
Em C Dsus4 D
hour has gone around. And I'm
Bm Em C
gone on the rising tide. For to
G D |G - - C2 | G
fa - ce Van Diemen's land It's a bitter
Verse 2
G C2 |G - - C2 | G - /G /B
pill I swallow here. To be
Em C Dsus4 D
rent from one so dear We fought for
Bm Em C
justice and not for gain. But the magis-
G D |G - - C2 | G
tra - te sent me away. Now kings will
Verse 3
G C2 |G - - C2 | G - /G /B
rule, and the poor will toil. And tear their
Em C Dsus4 D
hands as they tear the soil. But a day will
Bm Em C
come in the dawning age. When an honest
G D |G - - C2 | G
man sees an honest wage. Hold me
(Repeat Verse 1 with outtro)
G C2 |G - - C2 | G - /G /B
now, oh hold me now. Till this
Em C Dsus4 D
hour has gone around. And I'm
Bm Em C
gone on the rising tide. For to
G D Em C
fa - ce Van Diemen's land. For to
G D |G - - C2 | G
fa - ce Van Diemen's land
*****
Hi. My name is Jeff Hao. I arrange songs for easy piano solo and chords
and put them on Hao Staff (a kind of piano tab that anyone can read and
play). Check out www.haostaff.com (All free downloads).
In my work, I need to figure out the chords first (accurately). I will
start to share all my work here for the guitar players. You will notice
the unique format I came up for myself in matching the chord change with
the right word (or part of the word). Being a guitar player, I find this
format much easier to read and sing along. It also shows the chord
progression structure more clearly for easier memorizing. Enjoy!
jeff@haostaff.com